Bradley County residents oppose Project River industrial energy campus, potential data center
A proposed $11.3 billion "Project River" industrial energy campus, which could include a data center, is planned for an 850-acre site in Bradley County, Tennessee. Developers, the Wright family of Wright Construction, claim the project will generate 1,500 megawatts of electricity and create hundreds of jobs, while being self-sufficient in energy and water. However, local residents express strong opposition due to concerns about long-term impacts and a perceived lack of transparency.
Developers are proposing an 11.3 billion dollar "Project River" industrial energy campus on an 850-acre privately owned parcel in Bradley County, Tennessee, located northwest of Cleveland. The project, owned by the Wright family of Wright Construction, aims to generate 1,500 megawatts of electricity and create hundreds of jobs. While developers state it will be entirely self-sufficient in energy and water, local residents are voicing strong opposition, primarily due to concerns about long-term impacts and a perceived lack of transparency.
John Ellis, whose family has owned property in Bradley County since after World War II, expressed strong opposition, vowing to fight the annexation and development at every step. Developers highlight the economic and financial benefits for southeastern Tennessee, comparing it to Oak Ridge and Chattanooga's "gig city" status, and emphasize the project's self-contained nature regarding power and water, with natural topography providing noise barriers.
The potential inclusion of a data center is acknowledged by developers, who state it "very well could be a data center" but also mention possibilities like advanced manufacturing, robotics, or semiconductor plants, with the "offtaker" to be determined after power development. This ambiguity regarding the project's ultimate use contributes to residents' concerns about transparency, with some feeling the plans have been progressing "behind closed doors."
Bradley County Mayor Gary Davis addressed transparency concerns on social media, stating he was only recently made aware of the announcement and encouraging residents to stay involved. The land is currently zoned for agricultural use, requiring county approval for annexation and zoning changes, followed by ecological and geological surveys. Two public information sessions are scheduled for residents to learn more and ask questions.